“ An Act To Add Transit Services to the Growth Management Program Comprehensive Plan.”

March 14, 2011

Senator Thomas, Representative Cotta and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government.My name is Nancy Smith and I am the Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine. As many of you know from our previous interactions with the committee, GrowSmart Maine is a statewide non-profit membership-based organization working at the intersection of conservation and economic development to grow Maine's economy, protect its distinctive character, and enhance our state's quality places. I regret that previously scheduled commitments prevent me or other GrowSmart Maine representatives to present this testimony at today’s Public Hearing.

As a part of our commitment to strengthening Maine’s economy, GrowSmart Maine is particularly enthusiastic about well grounded, thoughtful proposals which seek to grow the economy in a sustainable manner while at the same time preserving our state’s unique character and quality of place. We believe this bill fits that description.When Maine municipalities prepare their comprehensive plan, citizens are laying the foundation needed to chart their own future by thinking through the assets and identifying challenges in their community.

By amending the growth management program comprehensive plan elements to include transit services in the list of existing transportation systems, Representative Cotta's bill will allow a town or city to evaluate transportation more broadly than currently provided in the comprehensive plan process.Particularly now, as we are reminded of the uncertainty and volatility of gas prices, Mainers need to be thinking and planning for ways to provide more choices in our transportation system, and transit services will continue to be a key component of this process.

Thank you for the opportunity to present these remarks.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding GrowSmart Maine’s support for LD 644.